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Economic Impact Payments

4/15/2020

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The IRS is committed to helping you get your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. The payments, also referred to by some as stimulus payments, are automatic for most taxpayers. No further action is needed by taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees.
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See if you are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment.

Filers:Get My Payment
Use the "Get My Payment" application to:
  • Check your payment status
  • Confirm your payment type: direct deposit or check
  • Enter your bank account information for direct deposit if we don't have your direct deposit information and we haven't sent your payment yet

Get My Payment

Update your bank account or mailing address
  • If we don’t have your direct deposit information from 2018 or 2019 return – and we haven’t yet sent your payment – use the Get My Payment application to let us know where to send your direct deposit.
  • 2019 Filers: We will send your payment using the information you provided with your 2019 tax return. You will not be able to change it.
  • 2018 Filers: If you need to change your account information or mailing address, file your 2019 taxes electronically as soon as possible. That is the only way to let us know your new information.

Note: We are not currently able to process individual paper tax returns due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here

If you don’t file taxes, use the "Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here" application to provide simple information so you can get your payment.

You should use this application if:
  • You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income. Or
  • You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons

If you receive these benefits, we already have your information and you will receive $1,200. Do not use this application if you receive:
  • Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits
  • Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits

Special note: People in these groups who have qualifying children under age 17 can use this application to claim the $500 payment per child.

Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here
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Get more information about Economic Impact Payments

Visit our Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more.
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Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here

4/14/2020

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Who is eligible for the Economic Impact Payment? U.S. citizens or resident aliens who:
  • Have a valid Social Security number,
  • Could not be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer, and
  • Had adjusted gross income under certain limits.

​Who will receive the Economic Impact Payment automatically without taking additional steps? 
Most eligible U.S. taxpayers will automatically receive their Economic Impact Payments including:
  • Individuals who filed a federal income tax for 2018 or 2019
  • Individuals who receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits
  • Individuals who receive Railroad Retirement benefits

Who should use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info to provide additional information to receive the Economic Impact Payment?

Eligible U.S. citizens or permanent residents who:
  • Had gross income that did not exceed $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples) for 2019
  • Were not otherwise required to file a federal income tax return for 2019, and didn't plan to

You can provide the necessary information to the IRS easily and quickly for no fee through Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info. We will use this information to determine your eligibility and payment amount and send you an Economic Impact Payment. After providing this information you won’t need to take any additional action.

Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here

Information You will Need to Provide
  • Full name, current mailing address and an email address
  • Date of birth and valid Social Security number
  • Bank account number, type and routing number, if you have one
  • Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) you received from the IRS earlier this year, if you have one
  • Driver’s license or state-issued ID, if you have one
  • For each qualifying child: name, Social Security number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number and their relationship to you or your spouse

What to Expect

Clicking “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here” above will take you from the IRS site to Free File Fillable Forms, a certified IRS partner. This site is safe and secure.

Follow these steps in order to provide your information:
  • Create an account by providing your email address and phone number; and establishing a user ID and password.
  • You will be directed to a screen where you will input your filing status (Single or Married filing jointly) and personal information.
  • Note: Make sure you have a valid Social Security number for you (and your spouse if you were married at the end of 2019) unless you are filing “Married Filing Jointly” with a 2019 member of the military. Make sure you have a valid Social Security number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number for each dependent you want to claim for the Economic Impact Payment.
  • Check the “box” if someone can claim you as a dependent or your spouse as a dependent.
  • Complete your bank information (otherwise we will send you a check).
  • You will be directed to another screen where you will enter personal information to verify yourself. Simply follow the instructions. You will need your driver’s license (or state-issued ID) information. If you don’t have one, leave it blank.

You will receive an e-mail from Customer Service at Free File Fillable Forms that either acknowledges you have successfully submitted your information, or that tells you there is a problem and how to correct it. Free File Fillable forms will use the information to automatically complete a Form 1040 and transmit it to the IRS to compute and send you a payment.
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IRS extends more tax deadlines to cover individuals, trusts, estates corporations and others

4/9/2020

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WASHINGTON — To help taxpayers, the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service announced today that Notice 2020-23 (PDF) extends additional key tax deadlines for individuals and businesses.
Last month, the IRS announced that taxpayers generally have until July 15, 2020, to file and pay federal income taxes originally due on April 15. No late-filing penalty, late-payment penalty or interest will be due.
Today’s notice expands this relief to additional returns, tax payments and other actions. As a result, the extensions generally now apply to all taxpayers that have a filing or payment deadline falling on or after April 1, 2020, and before July 15, 2020. Individuals, trusts, estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers qualify for the extra time. This means that anyone, including Americans who live and work abroad, can now wait until July 15 to file their 2019 federal income tax return and pay any tax due.
Extension of time to file beyond July 15Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline can request an extension to Oct. 15, 2020, by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004. An extension to file is not an extension to pay any taxes owed. Taxpayers requesting additional time to file should estimate their tax liability and pay any taxes owed by the July 15, 2020, deadline to avoid additional interest and penalties.
Estimated Tax PaymentsBesides the April 15 estimated tax payment previously extended, today’s notice also extends relief to estimated tax payments due June 15, 2020. This means that any individual or corporation that has a quarterly estimated tax payment due on or after April 1, 2020, and before July 15, 2020, can wait until July 15 to make that payment, without penalty.  
2016 unclaimed refunds – deadline extended to July 15For 2016 tax returns, the normal April 15 deadline to claim a refund has also been extended to July 15, 2020. The law provides a three-year window of opportunity to claim a refund.  If taxpayers do not file a return within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. The law requires taxpayers to properly address, mail and ensure the tax return is postmarked by the July 15, 2020, date.
IRS.gov assistance 24/7IRS live telephone assistance is currently unavailable due to COVID-19. Normal operations will resume when possible. Tax help is available 24 hours a day on IRS.gov.  The IRS website offers a variety of online tools to help taxpayers answer common tax questions. For example, taxpayers can search the Interactive Tax Assistant, Tax Topics, Frequently Asked Questions, and Tax Trails to get answers to common questions. Those who have already filed can check their refund status by visiting IRS.gov/Refunds.


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Paycheck Protection Program

4/3/2020

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As of this morning (Friday, April 3, 2020) there have been updates and additions to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) rules. Some of the items below are directly from the new directive issued today. 

Please be aware of the following when talking to your bank:

There is an updated application form. The final version of the application (CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION) should be used in conjunction with your bank's loan process.

The definition of payroll costs has been updated. It specifically excludes any payments to independent contractors.

Do independent contractors count as employees for purposes of PPP loan
calculations? 
No, independent contractors have the ability to apply for a PPP loan on their own so they do not count for purposes of a borrower’s PPP loan calculation.

Also, we want to caution you about how you use the proceeds from this loan. The loan is supposed to be used for the qualified expenses ONLY. Any willing misuse of the funds could put you in legal jeopardy.

What happens if PPP loan funds are misused? If you use PPP funds for unauthorized purposes, SBA will direct you to repay those amounts. If you knowingly use the funds for unauthorized purposes, you will be subject to additional liability such as charges for fraud. If one of your shareholders, members, or partners uses PPP funds for unauthorized purposes, SBA will have recourse against the shareholder, member, or partner for any of the unauthorized use.

The intent is that the proceeds will be used at least 75% for payroll and related expenses and 25% for other qualified expenses. We strongly suggest you carefully track the use of these funds to avoid any misuse. If the funds are not used for qualified expenses or are used for unauthorized purposes, the SBA will direct you to repay those funds. Our understanding is this repayment will need to be immediate. If the funds are used for qualified purposes and you meet the qualification of maintaining the payroll, then the loan is forgiven and no repayment will be required. If the funds are used for qualified expenses, but you do not meet the payroll thresholds, then part of the loan will not be forgiven and will need to be paid back over time.

It is also important to remember that you will have only eight (8) weeks following the funding of the loan to justify the use of the funds. You need to be sure you are continuing to pay all payroll costs and other qualified expenses during this eight (8) week period. If you usually pay yourself on an annual or other periodic basis, you will need to make regular payroll during this 8 week period in order to justify the use of the proceeds. These records will be required to be submitted after the eight (8) week period in order to show how the funds were used and to determine how much of the loan will be forgiven.


While your bank is the point of contact for the loan application and process, know that our team at Janssen & Igar are here to help with any documents or information required.

We will get through this together!
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Paycheck Protection Program Application Release

4/2/2020

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The Treasury Department has released the application for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

It is important that you work closely with your bank to get this loan application completed and submitted. There will be some documentation you will need to provide with the application. Complying with all of the bank’s requests will speed the approval of the loan.

The links below lead you to the PPP application form and the information fact sheet for borrowers:

https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Application-3-30-2020-v3.pdf

https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP Borrower Information Fact Sheet.pdf

It is important to note that you can apply and get approved for the funds now, but choose to wait for the funding at a later date if needed. This could be important when it comes to showing the loan proceeds were used for qualified expenses. You have only 8 weeks following the funding for this purpose.

We hope you find the following information helpful to complete the application.

Calculation of FTE’s (full time employees): 
Total annual hours (regular hours, not overtime) worked in 2019 for ALL employees for the year divided by 2,080 (two thousand, eighty). Round the result down to the whole number. This number is what you will use for the question “Number of Jobs” on the application.

Payroll Costs: 
1. Payroll costs include: employee salary, wages and commissions; payment of cash tips; payment of vacation; parental, family, medical or sick leave; allowance for dismissal or separation; payment required for group health benefits (including insurance premiums); payment of retirement benefits; or payment of state or local tax assessed on employee compensation; and sole proprietor income or independent contractor compensation not in excess of $100,000. For partners in a partnership, you should include the guaranteed payments as compensation.
2. Independent contractors that would otherwise be an employee of your business.
3. Healthcare costs — all health insurance premiums paid by the business owner under a group health plan.
4. Retirement — your company retirement plan funding paid for by the company.

​​We're here to help.
Your bank may require specific documents that our office can provide. Let us know how we can help expedite the application process.
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Assistance for Small Businesses

4/2/2020

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Assistance for Small BusinessesThe Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.
Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.
  • For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
  • If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE
  • If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
  • PPP Borrower Application Form (Updated 4/2/20)
  • PPP Lender Application Form
  • PPP New Lender Application Form (Federally Insured Depository Institutions, Federally Insured Credit Unions, Farm Credit Institutions)
  • Paycheck Protection Program – Interim Final Rule
  • Find an eligible lender

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IRS issues warning about Coronavirus-related scams; watch out for schemes tied to economic impact payments

4/2/2020

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WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today urged taxpayers to be on the lookout for a surge of calls and email phishing attempts about the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. These contacts can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft.

"We urge people to take extra care during this period. The IRS isn't going to call you asking to verify or provide your financial information so you can get an economic impact payment or your refund faster," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "That also applies to surprise emails that appear to be coming from the IRS. Remember, don't open them or click on attachments or links. Go to IRS.gov for the most up-to-date information."

Taxpayers should watch not only for emails but text messages, websites and social media attempts that request money or personal information.

"History has shown that criminals take every opportunity to perpetrate a fraud on unsuspecting victims, especially when a group of people is vulnerable or in a state of need," said IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Don Fort. "While you are waiting to hear about your economic impact payment, criminals are working hard to trick you into getting their hands on it. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division is working hard to find these scammers and shut them down, but in the meantime, we ask people to remain vigilant."

Don't fall prey to Coronavirus tricks; retirees among potential targetsThe IRS and its Criminal Investigation Division have seen a wave of new and evolving phishing schemes against taxpayers. In most cases, the IRS will deposit economic impact payments into the direct deposit account taxpayers previously provided on tax returns. Those taxpayers who have previously filed but not provided direct deposit information to the IRS will be able to provide their banking information online to a newly designed secure portal on IRS.gov in mid-April. If the IRS does not have a taxpayer's direct deposit information, a check will be mailed to the address on file. Taxpayers should not provide their direct deposit or other banking information for others to input on their behalf into the secure portal.

The IRS also reminds retirees who don't normally have a requirement to file a tax return that no action on their part is needed to receive their $1,200 economic impact payment. Seniors should be especially careful during this period. The IRS reminds retirees – including recipients of Forms SSA-1099 and RRB-1099 − that no one from the agency will be reaching out to them by phone, email, mail or in person asking for any kind of information to complete their economic impact payment, also sometimes referred to as rebates or stimulus payments. The IRS is sending these $1,200 payments automatically to retirees – no additional action or information is needed on their part to receive this.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that scammers may:
  • Emphasize the words "Stimulus Check" or "Stimulus Payment." The official term is economic impact payment.
  • Ask the taxpayer to sign over their economic impact payment check to them.
  • Ask by phone, email, text or social media for verification of personal and/or banking information saying that the information is needed to receive or speed up their economic impact payment.
  • Suggest that they can get a tax refund or economic impact payment faster by working on the taxpayer's behalf. This scam could be conducted by social media or even in person.
  • Mail the taxpayer a bogus check, perhaps in an odd amount, then tell the taxpayer to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it.

Reporting Coronavirus-related or other phishing attemptsThose who receive unsolicited emails, text messages or social media attempts to gather information that appear to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), should forward it to phishing@irs.gov.

Taxpayers are encouraged not to engage potential scammers online or on the phone. Learn more about reporting suspected scams by going to the Report Phishing and Online Scams page on IRS.gov.
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Official IRS information about the COVID-19 pandemic and economic impact payments can be found on the Coronavirus Tax Relief page on IRS.gov. The page is updated quickly when new information is available.
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Social Security Recipients Will Automatically Receive Economic Impact Payments

4/1/2020

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Social Security Recipients Will Automatically Receive Economic Impact Payments

​WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today announced that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an Economic Impact Payment. Instead, payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts. 

“Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return do not need to take an action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. 

The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate $1,200 Economic Impact Payments to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019. Recipients will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.


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